C19-steroid metabolism by spontaneous adenocarcinoma of the A X C rat ventral prostate.

Specimens of ventral prostate from 37- to 46-month-old Andradurin-treated A X C rats demonstrated three primary morphologic patterns, each being divisible into two sub-groups based upon the extent of glandular alteration. The principal groups were: group 1, hyperplasia; group 2, atypical hyperplasia; and group 3, adenocarcinoma. The secondary classifications were: subgroup (+), few glands involved; and subgroup (++), most glands involved. Multiple parameters of ventral prostate testosterone metabolic potential failed to distinguish the morphologically diverse prostate specimens of groups (1+). 1(++), 2(+), 2(++), and 3(+) which predominantly metabolized testosterone to 5alpha-reduced 17beta-hydroxysteroids. By contrast, testosterone metabolism by ventral prostate specimens predominantly composed of neoplastic epithelium, group 3(++), was distinct from all other prostate specimens. The distinguishing feature was a shift to more prominent elaboration of 17-ketosteroids, principally delta4-androstenedione, and a cteroids. The change in this biochemical parameter of prostate epithelial cell function was indicated to be an early manifestation of the neoplastic transformation.